Big Sam: We Must Keep Our Focus

Sam Allardyce is making sure that his squad leave the euphoria of Monday night’s victory behind them as they head out for Saturday’s home match against Leicester City.

The two in form Premier League sides meet at Selhurst Park as the Palace camp reflect on a spell that has seen them move six points clear of the relegation zone.

“We have just had our biggest periods with had this season so far with victories against Chelsea and Arsenal but obviously in the middle of that we lost to Southampton so we need to make sure we don’t let that happen this weekend against Leicester City." Allardyce said at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.

“We need to focus on the game this weekend and make sure we don’t get wrapped up in all the talk of us being safe, because we are not. The aim will be to try and secure another three points but we are playing a team in exceptionally good form like ourselves and this will be just as difficult a game as we faced against Arsenal on Monday night, if not more.”

Craig Shakespeare brings his squad to SE25 in a middle of a their two legged European encounter and will be looking to bounce back from their defeat on Merseyside last weekend after they had been on a six league game winning run.

“They were tactically brilliant against Atletico Madrid and only lost to a penalty, and as we know, they showed they are difficult to beat, we need to be patient and show our quality in the final third.

“They are reigning champions of The Premier League and in the quarter final of the Champions League so we know the size of the task we are up against.

“We have seven games left and must make sure that getting safe is our first target but even though we have won six matches of the last nine we are still not there and we mustn’t lose our focus.”

CLICK HERE to watch the press conference and interviews ahead of this weekend's match.